Thanks to Netgalley for chance to read this book. I enjoyed this book but I had to give it a few attempts to finish it. It had a exciting premise but I found the characters annoying and the plot a little bit long. It was a good read, just slightly too long.

Four women attend a pre-natal retreat with a disturbing twist! This was a one sitting read with multiple intertwining plots which bolstered the brilliant novels depth. Even being drip fed clues throughout I still couldn’t figure it out until the big reveal. Huge thanks for the ARC

This was such a fun thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the setting and the vibe of this book it was captivating. I found the characters unlikable but it added to the fun of the story. Highly recommend this book for lovers of twisty thrillers.

#quercus #netgalley publication date 31 March 2022
This is the first Charlotte Duckworth I have read and I would definitely read more. A page turning physcological thriller and well written 4/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily.
This is the first book I have read by this author; the information promised an addictive psychological thriller. I thought the start of the story was interesting, with the sense of menace escalating quickly across the first quarter of the book as each character seems to be hiding something. The tale is told in alternating sections from each character's perspective so revelations occur very slowly across the completely twisted plotlines. I didn't particularly like any of the characters (and it was even more confusing to have given 3 of the retreat attendees names ending in 'e' sounds) and by the end of the book I concluded that it was a cleverly-wrought plot but I hadn't enjoyed the very slow pace and the numerous plotlines made it rather unrealistic.

This book reminded me of Ten perfect strangers and I really enjoyed it. I really like the writing style of this author. I found it full of lots of secrets, lots of issues, lots of twist and turns.

It is about a group of four pregnant women who went on a three night pampering yoga retreat, in a remote farm in Devonshire, Selina the host wants to teach them all she knows about yoga and motherhood. But secrets can be deadly.

Hummmm, this is perhaps one of the most challenging reviews I have had to write, as I felt it had all the makings of a good story but just fell a bit short.

The plot was good, with some twists and turns; however, the execution, pace and numerous characters left me somewhat confused and struggling to keep up.

I have seen enough in this novel to tempt me to give another one of Charlotte's books a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Quercus Books for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Sanctuary exceeded my expectations and then some! This was my first experience with author Charlotte Duckworth and it certainly won't be my last.
The twists and turns had me devour this book as quickly as possible. I just had to know how it ended and how all the secrets and lies tied in together.
I wasn't sure what to expect in turns of actual plot, the set up gave me Nine Perfect Strangers Vibe - except The Sanctuary wasn't boring or pointless.
There were so many narratives, I would have preferred less. It made it difficult to get into the flow of it but ultimately it all worked out.
This is a good mystery, I recommend to those that enjoy a good twisty plot.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A well-written thriller with plenty of twists and turns. A recommended read.

A story told from alternating pov with each chapter so should have been easy to follow but it took me ages to get in my head who was who. It wasn’t a long book and it was not a complicated plot so decent enough but I just wasn’t convinced by the characters or the location.

Four pregnant women, a secluded farm, a relaxing yoga retreat ………. sounds perfect, right ?

On a remote farm in Devon four women attend a five star pampering yoga retreat. Selina, is their host and yoga instructor for the weekend and it is her first retreat but she is hoping there will be lots more.

As the weekend begins we discover that each of the women has secrets they are hiding !! Will the women reveal their secrets ? Or will they be discovered by others ? Will the retreat be a success ?

This is a great twisty psychological thriller that will have you hooked from the start. An easy read that will have you wanting more with every turn of the page.

Thank you to Quercus Books and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

When I first started reading this book, I did struggle with who was who and how they were all related
However, once I got past that part, I really enjoyed the concept of this book
Each chapter is told from a different viewpoint of one of the pregnant women, with the author dropping clues that each one has so many secrets to tell
The novel is very atmospheric and the author knows just how to create a tense novel!
The whole setting of the novel, a barn in the middle of nowhere, was really unsettling and set the atmosphere of the novel
Each chapter left me thinking just one more chapter and I highly recommend this one!

The sanctuary by Charlotte Duckworth.
Four pregnant women. Three nights of pampering at an exclusive yoga retreat. One too many deadly secrets . . .
On a remote farm in the deepest Devonshire countryside, four pregnant women arrive at an exclusive yoga retreat for a five-star weekend of prenatal pampering. The location is idyllic.Their host, Selina, is eager to teach them all she knows about pregnancy and motherhood. But, like Selina, each of the women has a secret.And secrets can be deadly . . .
Omg what a read. Absolutely brilliant. Dark twisty. This had me guessing. Brilliant. 5*.

Four pregnant women. Three nights of pampering at an exclusive yoga retreat. One too many deadly secrets . . .
On a remote farm in the deepest Devonshire countryside, four pregnant women arrive at an exclusive yoga retreat for a five-star weekend of prenatal pampering. The location is idyllic.
Their host, Selina, is eager to teach them all she knows about pregnancy and motherhood. But, like Selina, each of the women has a secret.
And secrets can be deadly . . .
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own hone\st voluntary review.

The Sanctuary is an engaging novel which kept me absorbed from start to finish. The characters are interesting and I was keen to get to know everything about them. Most turned out to be unlikeable, but fascinating, for a variety of reasons. The story is written from the points of view of multiple characters, which I enjoyed. I felt that some parts of the story are a little dubious, but that did not detract from my desire to know what would happen next. Overall, an enjoyable read. Thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Quercus Publishers for the ARC.

"Nestled in the Devonshire valley and tucked away from the world, one wouldn't even know it was there if not for the small hand-painted sign by the turning... The perfect place to commit a crime, the perfect place to bury a secret."

The Sanctuary is a twisty thriller told from the point of view of Selina and the 4 women who have checked into her luxurious pre-natal yoga retreat for the weekend.

Nicky and Bonnie are half-sisters with 20 years between them. Pregnant at the same time, Bonnie suggests a weekend away at a relaxing prenatal yoga treat. Nicky is not at all pleased, but reluctantly agrees, if only a way to get a peaceful night's sleep and maybe finally find out just who the father of Bonnie's baby is?

Georgia - a lifestyle journalist and once-free spirit, suddenly finds herself uncharacteristically dependent on her boyfriend. When Brett has to head overseas for a work trip, Georgia reserves a spot at the retreat in hopes of working up the nerve to face her secret.

Poppy - is 4 months pregnant and still grieving the tragic loss of her baby daughter just over a year ago. Navigating the wreckage of her marriage, Poppy arrives at the retreat with a plan...

Then, there is Selina. Eccentric and overly confident midwife, obsessed with making sure the weekend goes off without a hitch. Only there is so much more going on than anyone realises as the truths of her past begin to surface.

All the women have a secret or inner turmoil they are trying to come to terms with, and it's the manner in which these unfold that makes for a riveting read.

The stunning and tranquil farm surrounded by lush gardens and secluded from the outside world, depicted the perfect setting to heighten the lurking suspense. The idea of sleeping in a tent, no matter how luxurious, at such a vulnerable time gives me the creeps.

This is my first time reading a novel by Charlotte, and it certainly won't be the last. I enjoyed Charlotte's writing style, I found it easy to read and well-paced. Looking forward to reading some of her other novels.

Thank you NetGalley and Quercus Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rounded up; 3.5 Stars

Did I like the book?

The author had me at “yoga retreat” I have been on a few retreats myself and have loved them so I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to read a thriller including one! I am delighted to let you know this retreat delivered!

Did I enjoy reading it?

The change of POVs per chapter was a great way to give the plot momentum while letting the reader get glimpses of each woman’s life along with their issues. I enjoyed the rhythm of the book and found it worked quite well to let secrets simmer until…!

What did I feel?

I had a bad feeling about this retreat! First, gathering pregnant women and their hormones in a secluded place? Are you crazy??? Okay, the idea of an exclusive retreat for pampering and preparing the baby’s arrival is good… on paper! Well, not even on paper if you let Charlotte Duckworth in charge, haha!

Each mother is facing specific hardships: two sisters with very different lives, a surprise pregnancy for a wife who is already struggling with her two boys, and a woman under the shadow of the past. All of different ages, with unique stories, and lots of secrets. Even the woman running the retreat has bodies in her closet! Bring them all together in one place and watch the truth poison the place!

I found the author’s way of dealing with motherhood and parenthood very interesting. She doesn’t shy away from the hard questions and topics. Yet, even if soon-to-be? babies are at the center of the book, the author doesn’t allow you to forget this is a thriller. More questions are raised with each chapter, and the idyllic trip quickly turns into quite a dark ride. There was quite a lot to keep in mind, who’s doing what and such, but after a while, you keep track of each mother’s story more easily.

Some bits required me to suspend my disbelief but I found The Sanctuary to be an enjoyable read.

How would I describe it?
Intriguing, high on secrets, not as relaxing as in the yoga retreat advert!!!

A compelling thriller. The author Charlotte has written the book with each of the characters narrating in turn which allows the reader to learn more about them. With loads of twists and turns in the story, I was surprised by the ending. The perfect book to wrap yourself around on a dark night. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve actually had this already and didn’t realise. Already left a review! I like this author as she writes well and her books are all different.

This book promises twists and turns, and it delivers. Great characters, great storyline. I kept turning the pages instead of turning off the light! Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this great read in exchange for an honest review.